Southern medical journal
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Southern medical journal · Dec 1996
Randomized Controlled Trial Clinical TrialEMLA cream as a topical anesthetic before office phlebotomy in children.
We studied the effectiveness of EMLA cream (2.5% lidocaine, 2.5% prilocaine) in reducing distress, anxiety, and pain associated with phlebotomy in pediatric outpatients. This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study using EMLA cream or placebo 1 hour before phlebotomy. Distress, anticipatory anxiety, pain, and adverse reactions were measured. ⋯ Pain was decreased with use of EMLA cream. Anticipatory anxiety levels were equal within both groups. Ratings of cream efficacy by parent/observer scales were in favor of EMLA cream.